White Cell Annual Training

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes | Spc. Tiffany Schwicker, an intelligence analyst with Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), works on a computer while at the White Cell during annual training, June 21, 2015, at Fort Drum, N.Y. The White Cell is a small group of Soldiers who provide a wide range of support services to all battalions during training. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley J. Hayes)  

FORT DRUM, NY, UNITED STATES

06.21.2015

Story by Sgt. Ashley Hayes 

86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (MTN)

FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Seven battalions within the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) came together for a weeklong annual training event June 21, 2015, at Fort Drum, New York. During this large training event, a group of 17 Soldiers working in the White Cell are providing a multitude of support services for the brigade to keep their training running at full force.

Master Sgt. Wayne Massey, the transportation noncommissioned officer in charge, explained the role of the White Cell on the battlefield. Massey said the White Cell is designed to alleviate administrative needs outside of the training environment, so the brigade can focus on training.

Some of the specific tasks they are in charge of include; Red Cross services, transportation, operations, drivers, personnel, and keeping track of unit locations and needs. This takes a lot of coordination due to the large number of Soldiers in the field compared to the small size of the White Cell. "We are like our own little company," said Massey.

One challenge is the group runs 24-hour operations. Massey said getting calls in the middle of the night to complete a mission would not be out of the ordinary. This is his first time in the White Cell. Before, he was an organizational team evaluator. Despite the difference in job duties he doesn't feel it took him long to catch up.

"We've got a good team, everybody's chipping in really well. Everybody's stepping into each other's roles, so we got a lot of cross coverage which is good," said Massey. "We've got a lot of dedicated people that want to make sure that we to do what we need to do to let brigade do their training. "

Massey wasn't the only Soldier new to White Cell duties. Army Pfc. Nikolaus Brunelle, a Recruit Sustainment Program Soldier awaiting to attend Construction Equipment Repair school in July, volunteered to help the White Cell during annual training. He felt the work he is doing here, will help him understand military operations in general. "To see how the set up and operation and everything, is definitely beneficial for me," said Brunelle.

Brunelle is available as a helping hand for what ever needs to be done during the training. Even though his duties while working with the White Cell may be different from his future job duties, he has gained a greater understanding of why supporting Soldiers in the field is so valuable. "It allows me to have a little more respect for the White Cell people," said Brunelle.

Massey had some final words as to what success of the White Cell mission means during annual training. "Success is that we take care of Soldiers that need to be taken care of that are left in our possession and make sure they get what they need," said Massey. "We do it in a way that allows the brigade to go ahead and continue their training knowing that soldiers are in good hands and being taken care of."

• Date Taken: 06.21.2015
• Date Posted: 06.21.2015 22:00
• Story ID: 167592
• Location: FORT DRUM, NY, US